Charades
Charades online — 800+ words, free forehead guessing game!
The ultimate party game where one player holds the phone on their forehead while others act out the word on screen. No talking allowed — just creative acting, hilarious gestures, and tons of laughs! Tilt your phone to answer on mobile or use buttons on desktop.
Word Categories
Difficulty
Round Timer
Rounds
Players
How to Play Charades
- 1 Add at least 2 players and choose your favorite word categories from 8 options including Animals, Movies, Actions, and more.
- 2 Set the round timer (30s, 60s, or 90s) and choose how many rounds to play (1, 2, or 3).
- 3 When it's your turn, hold the phone on your forehead with the screen facing outward so others can see the word.
- 4 Your friends act out the word shown on screen — no talking, no sounds, just gestures and body language!
- 5 Tilt the phone DOWN (face down) when you guess correctly for a green flash, or tilt UP (face up) to skip to the next word.
- 6 When the timer runs out, see your round score. The player with the most correct guesses after all rounds wins!
Pro Tips for Charades
- 01Start with easier categories like Animals or Actions if playing with younger players or beginners.
- 02Use the 30-second timer for fast-paced intense rounds, or 90 seconds for a more relaxed game.
- 03When acting, break compound words into parts — act out each word separately for tricky phrases.
- 04Hold the phone firmly on your forehead and practice the tilt motion before your first round.
- 05Mix different categories together for the most unpredictable and hilarious combinations.
- 06Play with 3+ rounds to give everyone a fair chance — single rounds can be decided by lucky word draws.
- 07Designate a judge to watch for accidental talking or sound effects from the actors!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I play Charades online for free?
Simply visit our free online Charades game, add player names, pick word categories, and start playing! No download, no sign-up required. The game works on any mobile device or desktop browser.
How does the phone tilt feature work?
Hold your phone on your forehead with the screen facing outward. When you guess the word correctly, tilt the phone face-down (toward the ground) for a green flash. To skip a word, tilt it face-up (toward the ceiling) for a red flash. On desktop, use the on-screen buttons instead.
How many players do I need for Charades?
You need at least 2 players to play Charades — one person guesses while the other acts. However, the game is most fun with 4-8 players, as more actors means more creative performances and bigger laughs!
What word categories are available?
We offer 8 diverse categories: Animals, Movies & TV, Actions, Food & Drink, Objects, Famous People, Sports, and Occupations. Each category has 50+ carefully chosen words that are fun and easy to act out.
Can I play Charades on my computer?
Yes! While the tilt-to-answer feature is designed for mobile phones, desktop users get large Correct and Skip buttons on screen. The game works perfectly in any modern web browser on desktop, tablet, or mobile.
Is this Charades game free to play?
Absolutely! Our Charades game is 100% free to play online. There are no hidden fees, no premium features locked behind paywalls, and no app download required. Just open the page and start playing.
Can I use Charades as a drinking game?
Definitely! Charades makes a great drinking game. Common house rules include: drink when you skip a word, everyone drinks when the timer runs out, or the player with the lowest score each round takes a sip. Always drink responsibly!
How long does a game of Charades take?
Game length depends on your settings. A quick game with 4 players, 30-second rounds, and 1 round takes about 5 minutes. A full game with 6 players, 60-second rounds, and 3 rounds takes around 20 minutes.
Is the game mobile-responsive?
Yes, our Charades game is fully mobile-responsive and optimized for phones. The words display in large text readable at arm's length, and the tilt controls work naturally when holding the phone on your forehead.
What happens when all words run out?
With 800+ words across 8 categories, you're unlikely to run out! But if you do play enough rounds to exhaust the selected categories, the round will end early and scores will be calculated based on words answered.
Fun Ways to Play Charades
Charades is incredibly versatile — here are creative ways to enjoy the game at any gathering!
🎉 Party Icebreaker
Start your party with a quick round of Charades to get everyone laughing and loosened up. Use the 30-second timer with Animals category for an easy warm-up that works with any group.
🍻 Drinking Game Night
Turn Charades into the ultimate drinking game! Players who skip more than 3 words take a drink, and the lowest scorer each round takes a penalty shot. Use all categories for maximum chaos.
👨👩👧👦 Family Game Night
Perfect for families with kids! Select Animals, Actions, and Objects categories for age-appropriate fun. Use the 90-second timer so younger players have plenty of time to guess.
🏢 Team Building
Break the ice at work events with Charades! Split into teams and compete across 3 rounds. Categories like Famous People and Movies work great for diverse groups.
🎓 Classroom Activity
Teachers can use Charades for vocabulary building and public speaking practice. Choose specific categories that match your lesson plan and set longer timers for learning.
📱 Road Trip Entertainment
Perfect for long car rides! The passenger holds the phone while others in the back seat act out words. Use the desktop button mode so no tilting is needed in a moving vehicle.
Who Is Charades For?
Party Hosts & Social Groups
Charades is the ultimate party game that gets everyone on their feet and laughing together. Perfect for house parties, game nights, and social gatherings of any size. With 800+ words across 8 categories, you'll never run out of fun — and the phone-on-forehead mechanic adds a modern twist to the classic game.
Families & All Ages
A family-friendly game that works for ages 6 to 96! Grandparents, parents, and kids all play together with categories like Animals and Actions. The visual acting gameplay needs no reading skills for the actors, making it truly inclusive for all generations.
Teams & Coworkers
Break the ice at team-building events, office parties, and corporate retreats. Charades builds communication skills, encourages creativity, and creates shared laughs that strengthen team bonds. The competitive scoring keeps everyone engaged and invested.